Uncertainty in a multidimentional environment - #11

Here we are in the library testing the "Marque 1" plastic lid. We are placing the leather cover and then testing it all for a "zero snag" lift, and a "not too tight fit" plus some other "issues". We are also testing the stability of the plastic lid as it rests on the "equator ring" of the globe. This sounds like a lot, but there are good reasons when dealing with valuable things that are 250 years old. After this test we had to dismantle and downsize the plastic lid by 1/2 centimeter on each of the 9 sections. I was wishing for a digital 3 dimensional imaging camera linked to a computer driven cutter. Instead we have to work by eye and by hand. Lynn asks why the lining cannot be leather. Answer: we want a super smooth "lift-off" and an "invisible" underlay support, free of wrinkles. Tomorrow I'll show some detail of the highly attractive hand-tooling on the 250 year old leather cover.

Global reach at Ham House - # 10

There is one terrestrial and one celestial globe in the library. Both have paper-thin tooled leather covers and date from about 1740. You can see in the lower picture that the covers need repair and the whole set is in need of loving attention. Working from scratch (see the lower picture), Tim and I must make two half-globes to act as protective lids and as form supports for the inner linings that will be made from layers of special, thin foam plastic, acid-free tissue paper and silk, all hand sewn. These will lie under the leather cover. After careful measuring we made up each half-globe from nine sections cut from "Antinox" plastic sheet. In the top picture you can see that we then covered these in special adhesive materials to add the required smoothness and give extra rigidity. More tomorrow!

A peek inside the absloute Centre of Intrigue! - # 9

In 1672 "THE PLACE where you must be seen" was Ham House (built in 1610). Very powerful people met here and shaped the future of England and the United Kingdom of Great Britain. You can read more by clicking on the National Trust link in my side bar. Over the next couple of days I'll show you some photos of a little restoration project I have been helping with.

Great power: a heavy responsibilty - # 8

Victoria, Queen and Empress of the greatest and most powerful empire the world had ever seen. She obviously takes it very seriously indeed, and is not amused. http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page118.asp

Keeping the world turning - # 7

My Greengrocer: gourmet, outstanding "Customer Relationship Manager", technical expert, businessman, sympathetic ear, fun to have around. What more could anyone want?

Still hunkered down for winter - # 6

Richmond residents "sit it out" waiting for better weather. The heron is a "standard fixture" and seems to have become quite tolerant of humans invading his/her privacy.

The 500 yr long queue - #5

This is the last foot ferry in existence across the Thames, at Ham. For hundreds of years these crossings were essential, because bridges were too expensive and difficult to build. This ferry site was the monopoly business of the Earl of Dysart for hundreds of years until Mr. Hammerton set up a rival ferry on this crossing, about 200 metres away from where the Earl's boat was operating. The Earl tried to stop him, but Parliament, for some reason, supported Hammerton, and now his successors still operate the last remaining foot ferry service on the Thames. You can see that it is still a valued service, even in the age of the car and bus.